n. [ OF. peis. See Poise. ] The sliding weight on a steelyard. [ Written also pee. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Peas r Pease [ OE. pese, fr. AS. pisa, or OF. peis, F. pois; both fr. L. pisum; cf. Gr. pi`sos, pi`son. The final s was misunderstood in English as a plural ending. Cf. Pease. ] 1. (Bot.) A plant, and its fruit, of the genus Pisum, of many varieties, much cultivated for food. It has a papilionaceous flower, and the pericarp is a legume, popularly called a pod. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ When a definite number, more than one, is spoken of, the plural form peas is used; as, the pod contained nine peas; but, in a collective sense, the form pease is preferred; as, a bushel of pease; they had pease at dinner. This distinction is not always preserved, the form peas being used in both senses. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A name given, especially in the Southern States, to the seed of several leguminous plants (species of Dolichos, Cicer, Abrus, etc.) esp. those having a scar (hilum) of a different color from the rest of the seed. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name pea is given to many leguminous plants more or less closely related to the common pea. See the Phrases, below. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beach pea (Bot.), a seashore plant, Lathyrus maritimus. --
Black-eyed pea, a West Indian name for Dolichos sphærospermus and its seed. --
Butterfly pea, the American plant Clitoria Mariana, having showy blossoms. --
Chick pea. See Chick-pea. --
Egyptian pea. Same as Chick-pea. --
Everlasting pea. See under Everlasting. --
Glory pea. See under Glory, n. --
Hoary pea, any plant of the genus Tephrosia; goat's rue. --
Issue pea,
Orris pea. (Med.) See under Issue, and Orris. --
Milk pea. (Bot.) See under Milk. --
Pea berry, a kind of a coffee bean or grain which grows single, and is round or pea-shaped; often used adjectively; as, pea-berry coffee. --
Pea bug. (Zool.) Same as Pea weevil. --
Pea coal, a size of coal smaller than nut coal. --
Pea crab (Zool.), any small crab of the genus Pinnotheres, living as a commensal in bivalves; esp., the European species (Pinnotheres pisum) which lives in the common mussel and the cockle. --
Pea dove (Zool.), the American ground dove. --
Pea-flower tribe (Bot.), a suborder (Papilionaceæ) of leguminous plants having blossoms essentially like that of the pea. G. Bentham. --
Pea maggot (Zool.), the larva of a European moth (Tortrix pisi), which is very destructive to peas. --
Pea ore (Min.), argillaceous oxide of iron, occurring in round grains of a size of a pea; pisolitic ore. --
Pea starch, the starch or flour of the common pea, which is sometimes used in adulterating wheat flour, pepper, etc. --
Pea tree (Bot.), the name of several leguminous shrubs of the genus Caragana, natives of Siberia and China. --
Pea vine. (Bot.) (a) Any plant which bears peas. (b) A kind of vetch or tare, common in the United States (Lathyrus Americana, and other similar species). --
Pea weevil (Zool.), a small weevil (Bruchus pisi) which destroys peas by eating out the interior. --
Pigeon pea. (Bot.) See Pigeon pea. --
Sweet pea (Bot.), the annual plant Lathyrus odoratus; also, its many-colored, sweet-scented blossoms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) See Peak, n., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The wryneck; -- so called from its note. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) An American sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) having a conspicuous white throat. The name is imitative of its note. Called also White-throated sparrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. To make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop. [ R. ] “Peace your tattlings.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

When the thunder would not peace at my bidding. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix, L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. Appease, Fair, a., Fay, v., Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to requite. ] A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose; specifically: (a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies. (b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law. (c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions; tranquillity of mind or conscience. (d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord. “The eternal love and pees.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. “Peace! foolish woman.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At peace, in a state of peace. --
Breach of the peace. See under Breach. --
Justice of the peace. See under Justice. --
Peace of God. (Law) (a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a state of peace and good conduct. (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God. --
Peace offering. (a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with Him. (b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended person. --
Peace officer, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a polliceman, sheriff or constable. --
To hold one's peace, to be silent; to refrain from speaking. --
To make one's peace with, to reconcile one with, to plead one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another. “I will make your peace with him.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. peisible, F. paisible. ] Begin in or at peace; tranquil; quiet; free from, or not disposed to, war, disorder, or excitement; not quarrelsome. -- Peace"a*ble*ness, n. -- Peace"a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Peaceful; pacific; tranquil; quiet; mild; undisturbed; serene; still. -- Peaceable, Peaceful. Peaceable describes the state of an individual, nation, etc., in reference to external hostility, attack, etc.; peaceful, in respect to internal disturbance. The former denotes “in the spirit of peace;” latter; “in the possession or enjoyment of peace.” A peaceable adjustment of difficulties; a peaceful life, scene. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who disturbs the public peace. -- Peace"break`ing, n. [1913 Webster]

a. 1. Possessing or enjoying peace; not disturbed by war, tumult, agitation, anxiety, or commotion; quiet; tranquil; as, a peaceful time; a peaceful country; a peaceful end. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not disposed or tending to war, tumult or agitation; pacific; mild; calm; peaceable; as, peaceful words. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Peaceable. [ 1913 Webster ]

--Peace"ful*ly, adv.. -- Peace"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]